What's in a name, anyway?  At various times in different cultures, the naming of a child had great significance.  The parents almost decided the future of their child by the name they selected and bestowed.  There have been trends in names.  Biblical names have always been popular, but different ones more so than others.  John, Paul, Matthew, Mark, Peter, Thomas, David, generally more popular than Isaiah, Moses, Hezekiah, or Zebulen.  As for girls' names, Deborah and Mary are the most popular with Biblical history. 

What is the significance of YOUR name?  My first name is Barbara.  I remember first learning its meaning when in elementary school and, frankly, it isolated me. 

The name Barbara is a baby girl name. The name Barbara comes from the English origin. In English The meaning of the name Barbara is: From the Greek barbaros meaning foreign or strange, traveler from a foreign land. In Catholic custom St. Barbara is a protectress against fire and lightning.

As a young girl, being called "strange" or "alien" actually made me FEEL that way.  I was often alone, even at recess time.  I chose to play by myself often, rather than join the other kids in kickball or tag.  Now, whether I felt more so than other children, who knows!  It has certainly been something I had to grow into.  As an adult, I have a better understanding of the Greek word "barbaros," and its more familiar derivative, barbarian.  As a child, being a "strange" individual felt like isolation and loneliness, but as an adult, it has spawned a delightful sense of self-identification, a uniqueness that continues to motivate me in ever-increasing self-discovery.  And since I believe in a loving Father God, maker of heaven and earth, I also believe that the most honest and direct path toward self-discovery is to walk toward Him.

So many of us wear masks of expectations put on us either by others or by our own imaginings, that we cover up and hide, or generally disregard who we really are.  It's easy to pick up an image of who the world, the culture, the ethnic group, the family (etc) says we should be.  After all, TV shows tell us, movies tell us, magazines, tell us, friends tell us, parents tell us ... teachers tell us ... and so forth.  But who is right?  Whose image is correct?

As I see it, since God made me (see Ps 139), He has the best notion of who I am, of who He created me to be.  If it is my goal to become all I can be, it behooves me (great old word, hmmm?) to seek Him first and allow Him to define me more clearly each and every day.  In this way, I become supernaturally natural ... a natural only obtainable via the supernatural assistance and direction of the loving God who designed me.

A "Barbarian"?  In many ways, absolutely!  A "stranger" ... always, but there is nothing lonely about it.  What is the significance of YOUR name?  Does it fit you?  I had to grow into mine ... how about you?

Find the meaning of YOUR name ... HERE!

~ B